Iowa State Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Baylor in Week 5

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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 14: Running back Kene Nwangwu #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled bye defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes as he rushed for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 18-17 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

2. Find a run game

It’s an issue when your quarterback is your second-leading rusher in an offense where he’s supposed to contribute to the run game, not be featured. They’ve gone running back by-committee so far this season with four players — including Brock Purdy– with at least 15 carries.

Although you want to produce yards in the rushing game, they need someone to get the ball late in a close game. Who gets the ball when you need to convert on third-and-3 late in a close game for the Cyclones? They need an answer to that question because this game is going to be close.

Senior running back Sheldon Croney, Jr. has 22 carries, but he’s only averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Kene Nwangwu seems to be the likely candidate against the Bears averaging 8.8 yards per carry this season, but he only has 12 carries. They just need any of those guys to get hot and ask for the ball.

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